The province of Alicante has observed otters. This population is one of the most recent discoveries in the southern region of the province, where numerous specimens of this European mammal have been identified in the Segura River areas. The populations are situated between Bajo Vinalopó and Vega Baja.
The Keuper Environmental Association and the Association for Rural Development of Camp d’Elx-ADR have identified the presence of these mammals in the municipality of Guardamar del Segura. As part of the ‘Lutra Lutra’ Project, which concentrates on the study of otters, they have installed camera devices.
The discovery of numerous specimens has been made possible by the cameras deployed in the Segura River as it passes through Guardamar and in the network of ditches and canals that lead up to the El Hondo Natural Park in Elche-Crevillent. According to the Keuper association, these otters have been observed at the weir and ancient flour mill of Sant Antonio, which are situated in the old river branch and are only one kilometre from the sea.
The environmental association elucidates that this mammal has successfully recolonised the Segura River and the system of ditches, canals, and reservoirs in El Hondo Natural Park. The drainage and rehabilitation work in the area has facilitated the discovery of these specimens.
The initiative is currently in the process of advancing to the next phase, during which members and volunteers conduct transects to identify potential tracks and droppings. The Agrochemistry Department of the Miguel Hernández University of Elche will collect and analyse them to ascertain the impact and abundance of microplastics in the diet of this nocturnal and elusive mammal.
This initiative is a component of the collaboration agreement between the Keuper Environmental Association, the Association for Rural Development of Camp d’Elx-ADR, and the LIBERA initiative, which is promoted by SEO/BirdLife in partnership with Ecoembes.
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